Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 96

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 946

USA > Oregon > Multnomah County > Portland > Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present > Part 96

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Coming to Portland in 1882, Mr. McLauchlan was employed as engineer in the construction of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company. After a year he went to Montana in the same capacity with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. Returning to Portland, he became foreman in the Albina machine shops, after which he was with the Northern Pacific Ter- minal Company, first as foreman, then as master mechanie. A later position was that of master mechanic in the shops of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company in Albina. In 1892 he re- signed these positions and became superintendent of the Union Power Company, owners of a large plant in the north part of Portland. This posi- tion he held until the plant was burned down some six years later. July 1, 1898, Mayor Mason appointed him chief of police, which office he has since held, having in the meantime reorganized the police department until it is now one of the best-equipped in the west. A fair indication of the splendid condition of Portland morally is indicated by the fact that the city has the smallest police force in the United States, in pro- portion to the size of the town; yet it has been proved that this force is amply able to maintain a satisfactory supervision of the place.

The marriage of Chief MeLauchlan united him with Miss N. V. Ladd, who was born in Portland, her parents having been pioneers here from Virginia. They are the parents of three children, Harold, Agnes and Arthur. While making his home in Albina, a suburb of Portland, Chief McLauchlan served as mayor for three successive terms. In Portland he was a member of the board of police commissioners in 1894 and 1895, and in the last year served as president of the board. First and last a Republican, his support is always given to this party and its principles, and for several years he rendered helpful service as a member of the county com- mittee. Though not connected with any denom- ination, he is a contributor to the work of the

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Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, with which his wife is identified. Fraternally he is associated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in Masonry was once a member of the lodge in Hamilton, Canada, later becoming a charter member of Albina Lodge No. 103, F. & A. M., and was raised to the Royal Arch degree in Portland Chapter No. 3, in the work of which he has maintained an interest.

JAMES WILKINSON. An industry which redounds to the credit of Oregon City is that of James Wilkinson, whose hothouses and nursery are advantageously located along the track of the east side electric line, and on the banks of the Clackamas river. From this well conducted re- pository of flowers, plants and vegetables are sent out to the markets of Oregon City and Portland carnations in their greatest variety and excellence, as well as all standard and generally demanded flowers. During the winter season an additional source of profit is created from the lettuce trade in Portland. to which eity are sent large quantities of this refreshing vegetable, for which the grower receives exceptionally good prices.

A native of Albany, N. Y., Mr. Wilkinson was born October 24. 1870, and is a son of Robert and Martha ( Patterson ) Wilkinson, natives of Ire- land. Robert Wilkinson arrived in America when this country was in the throes of the Civil war, and, with the enthusiasm of eighteen years, started out upon a career of gratifying success. At Albany, N. Y., he found various kinds of em- ployment for a few years, and after coming to Oregon became identified with the Portland Flour Mills, with which he is still connected. His son. James, the oldest of his seven sons and two daughters, was educated principally in the public schools of Oregon City, and. like his fa- ther, was employed in the Portland Flour Mills. where he learned to be a practical miller. Dur- ing the twelve and a half years spent with this concern he became interested in floriculture and started up a business in 1895, which he left in charge of his brothers, one of whom, Samuel. is still interested with him in business. although Robert is elsewhere employed.

It was not until 1901 that Mr. Wilkinson ter- minated his association with the milling concern and assumed entire control of his hothouses, of which he has five, built after the most approved plans. His business sagacity and thorough knowledge of his interesting occupation have contributed to a success of which any one might be proud, and have won him a patronage grati- fving to so enterprising and worthy a citizen. Mr. Wilkinson is identified with the Woodmen of the World, and in political affiliation is a Re-

publican. Having never married, Mr. Wilkinson lives with his father and mother in their home in Oregon City. In the family also are his brothers and sisters, William, Robert, Jennie, David, John, Samuel, Henry, and Maggie.

RUFUS WAGGENER, postmaster of Hills- boro, and proprietor of the Tualatin Hotel, was born in Johnson county, Ind., November 5, 1842, and was educated in the public schools of Marion county, Iowa. His parents, J. S. and Malinda (Allen) Waggener, were natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana, and his paternal grand- father, J. B. Waggener, was born in Virginia, and died in Monroe county, Ind .. whither he had removed from Kentucky. The family claims German descent. J. S. Waggener was a car- penter and builder in Indiana, and in 1846 changed his home to the vicinity of Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, where he continued to fol- low the builder's trade, and there he was post- master for four years. The year 1875 witnessed his removal to Oregon, where he has since made his home, and for six years he served as treas- urer of Washington county. Mrs. Waggener died after coming to the west. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waggener, and of these the five living are on the coast, Rufus being the oldest child in the family. Four of the sons served in the Civil war, and of these J. B. served in the same company as did his brother Rufus. He was taken prisoner at Pearl River, Miss .. and died in Andersonville prison. Willis served in the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, and is now engaged in Horticulture in Vancouver. Huston served in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and died in Yam- hill county, Ore.

Into the otherwise uneventful youth of Rufus Waggener came the opportunity to serve his country during the Civil war, and with the first call to arms, May 27, 1861, he volunteered in Company B, Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Keokuk. His regiment was sent to guard the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad and the north Missouri roads until Grant's army was ready to go south, after which he partici- pated in the battles of Shiloh. Corinth, Hatchie River, siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Jack- son, and then joined the Banks expedition up the Red river. He was mustered out at Davenport June 18. 1864, and forthwith returned to his former interests in Marion county, Iowa. The same year he was married in Knoxville to Anna B. Bailey, a native of Indiana, and of this union were born eight children, five of whom are liv- ing: Lura : Adella W., now Mrs. C. E. Kindt. of Portland: Lena, the wife of (). B. Gates, of Hillsboro; and Dorr B., and Wilma, residing at home. After his marriage Mr. Waggener ap-

JEFF. W. HAYES.

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plied his trade of plasterer until 1872, and dur- ing that year located in Washington county, Ore., where he farmed with considerable success for ten years. In 1882 he bought the Tualatin Hotel, which was enlarged and refurnished, and of which he has since been proprietor and man- ager.

A Republican in political affiliation, Mr. Wag- gener has been quite active in local undertakings, and has served as postmaster ever since his ap- pointment by President Mckinley in October, 1900. He is a member of the Iowa Veterans As- sociation, and is a charter member of the Wash- ington County Veterans Association. He is also identified with General Ransom Post No. 69, G. A. R., of Hillsboro, of which he was commander for two terms, and has served as aide on the staff of the department commander. Fraternally he is connected with Tuality Lodge No. 6, A. F. & A. M., having joined the Masons in Knoxville, Iowa, and is also a member of the Eastern Star.

JEFF. W. HAYES. Among the many men of Portland who have proven their powers and capabilities is to be named Jeff. W. Hayes, one who really stands alone in the success which he has achieved, for few have had so great an ob- stacle as he, and it is the exceptional man who meets it with the cheerful courage which has dis- tinguished this worthy pioneer. Deprived of sight Mr. Hayes still lives among the cares and responsibilities of business life, and with a keen, quick intelligence, and frank, gentle nature, he meets with a financial success and makes many friends. Since losing his sight he has established the Hasty Messenger and Express Company, which from a modest beginning has grown to re- itinerative proportions, the selection of the name being a happy thought, since it is sug- gestive of celerity and go and is amply carried out in the well equipped and up-to-date business which is the result of Mr. Hayes' energy and effort. In addition to a business venture, or more correctly speaking, before the same, Mr. Hayes has gained a place in the literary world since the occurrence of his misfortune, in the composition and successful publication of a book, known as Tales of the Sierras, a success both financially and in a literary way. But beyond and above all this is the manner in which this misfortune has been borne, with patience, cour- age and fortitude, taking up the burden of daily dark, deprived of the most precious gift of life he is yet a useful, happy man. marking his path- way with the sweet and lasting influence of a character which rises above the carping cares of every-day living. Portland is proud to claim him as one of her representative men, and as stich entitled to a place in the history of the west.

Mr. Hayes was born in Cleveland, Ohio, March 30, 1858, the representative of an old Irish fam- ily. His grandfather, Patrick Henry Hayes, was born in Limerick, Ireland, and was a school teacher there, and in the course of time he mar- ried and brought his family across the ocean to Cleveland, Ohio, where he died in 1873. His son, William Henry, the father of our Mr. Hayes, was also born in Limerick, Ireland, and was brought by his parents to Cleveland, where in manhood he became a boot and shoe merchant, remaining so engaged until 1871, when he en- tered politics. His first official position was city assessor, the same being maintained creditably for ten years, after which he was elected county treasurer and served until 1895, when he re- signed on account of advanced age. He then retired permanently from the busy cares of life, but having always been an active and energetic man the different mode of life is supposed to have materially hastened his death, which oc- curred in October, 1896, in his eighty-first year. He was a man of strong characteristics, a gentle- man of the old school, and was highly esteemed in Cleveland for his great honesty and integrity. He married Mary Elizabeth Henry, who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the daughter of Rev. James Douglas Henry, also a native of Aber- deen. He was a Presbyterian minister and was transferred to a parish in County Armagh, Ire- land, where he served as clergyman until his death in 1868. Mrs. Hayes met her husband while she was on a visit to a sister in London, after a brief courtship becoming his wife and coming with him to Cleveland, where he was already launched in business. She died in that city, in October, 1900, the mother of five chil- dren, the third oldest being Jeff. W., of this review; the others are. James Douglas, who is proprietor of the Hayes Structural Iron Works, of Cleveland; William Henry, who is superin- tendent of a plumbing and heating establishment of Chicago; Frank, who is the Ohio and Mich- igan state representative for Arbuckle & Co., of New York ; and Thomas J., for many years iden- tified with the R. G. Dun Company, but is now secretary and treasurer of the Cleveland Drop Forge Company.

The boyhood of Jeff. W. Hayes was spent in Cleveland, his education being received in St. John's Seminary and St. Mary's Academy of that city, and through application and industry he had attained an excellent position in his grade, when at fourteen he put aside his school work to enter upon the study of that which was to be his life work. During previous vacations he had learned telegraphy in a degree sufficient to hold a position as operator, soon taking the position of night operator for the Lake Shore Railroad at Northeast, Pa., and continued with that road at

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various stations along the route to Buffalo, N. Y. In 1874 he went to Iowa with the old Pacific & Atlantic Telegraph Company as associate press operator, which position he held for six months, when he returned to Cleveland. For some time thereafter he served as operator in Chicago and New York, for the Western Union Telegraph Company, and later he operated in St. Louis and Omaha. In 1877 he came farther west, locating in Virginia City, Nev., as operator for the West- ern Union Telegraph Company, and a year later helped to organize the Nevada & California Tel- egraph Company, superintending the construc- tion of the telegraph line from Carson City to Bodie, Cal. Eighteen months later he made a small fortune as one-third owner of the Great Sierra Mine, which was sold for $100,000, and with his share of the profits he began to specu- late on San Francisco Stock Exchange, and like many others he was unsuccessful. He then ac- cepted a position with the government and the Western Union Telegraph Company, as man- ager of the military telegraph in Arizona, during the Apache war in 1881, and was located at Ft. Willcox, Ft. Grant, Camp Thomas and Ft. Bowie until the close of the war, when he re- turned to San Francisco. March 20. 1882, he came to Portland and accepted the position of manager of the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany, remaining in their employ until 1889, when he resigned to accept a like position with the Postal Telegraph Company, also of this city. Until 1894 he was identified with this company, and was then overwhelmed with the great mis- fortune of losing his sight. Not utterly cast down, Mr. Hayes of a necessity resigned his po- sition and at once began the effort to find a phy- sician who could restore his sight, but though he traveled in various eastern states seeking the best medical advice until he had spent his entire fortune, amounting to more than $30,000, he was unsuccessful, and was forced to admit the one defeat of his life. He has since made it one of his greatest successes, through the manner in which he has borne and conquered the difficul- ties of his position.

Compelled to seek employment, and taken to Cleveland by the death of his father, in 1896, the following year he located there, where he set his energies to work to learn the typewriter, and a year later he became associate press operator for the Cleveland Plaindealer. Six months later he resigned and sought again the west, wherein he had enjoyed much of prosperity and practical living. in Portland seeking a position of similar nature on the Oregonian. There being no va- cancy he gave up the attempt and instead wrote and published his book, known as Tales of the Sierras, which has met with a wide circulation, copies of the book being sent to every cable sta-

tion and office in the world through the interest of the late John W. Mackay, a former employer of Mr. Hayes. In March, 1901, Mr. Hayes established the Hasty Messenger and Express Company, which has now about thirty miles of private wire in the city, communicating with every part, all of which is superintended and managed by himself, the sole proprietor of the business, which has grown to its present lucra- tive proportions through the keen intelligence and management of Mr. Hayes. In this short time the business has passed the experimental stage and is now an established and secure enter- prise.

In 1898 Mr. Hayes married in Chicago, Ill., Miss Eva L. G. Stroud, who was born in Salem, Ore. She was the daughter of the late Hon George M. Stroud, of Portland, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. The mother of Mrs. Hayes was Annie Jordan, the representative of an old French Huguenot fan- ily, and a lineal descendant of Alexandre Dumas. She makes her home at No. 55 East Fourteenth street, at the age of seventy-two years, hale and hearty, religiously being a member of the Friends' Society. Being left an orphan she was reared by Benjamin Ladd, the founder of the city of Columbus, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have been born two children: Benjamin Ladd. who is four years old, and Evangeline, four months old. Fraternally Mr. Haves is a mem- ber of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a stanch Republican. though his father was a Democrat, and though never desiring official rec- ognition he has done his part in bringing about the best of legislation, municipal and state. In- terested in the material advancement of the city, he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade and an active and influential man in all business enterprises of the city. Though beset with a misfortune that would have incapacitated the majority of men Mr. Hayes has made it subservient to his happiness and ma- terial welfare, his home and his business speak- ing eloquently of the character of the man who has made his way against such an obstacle.

R. COX. What is considered to be one of the finest farm properties in Columbia county is owned by R. Cox, who, after seventeen years as bookkeeper for a sawmill concern in St. Helens, is now living a practically retired life. While to the optimistic mind it is possible to construe all misfortune into rational discipline, and even in- centive to large accomplishment. the recipient of adverse fortune is everywhere to be commended who has the strength of mind to bring order out

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Su . mocek

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of chaos, and light and sweetness out of darkness. Way back in his home in Canada Mr. Cox met with an accident which physically incapacitated him for many kinds of arduous work, but the cir- cumstance has never been allowed to interfere with a continuous self improvement, or the de- velopment of those gracious and humanitarian and mentally pleasing traits which win the friend- ship of many and the regard of all.

A native of Andover, Hampshire, England, Mr. Cox was born June 30, 1843, his ancestors having made their home in that country for sev- eral generations. His father, a plumber, painter and gilder, established his business in England as long ago as 1828, and was accounted a master workman in his line, also a man of force of char- acter and commendable characteristics. His son started out to make his own living when thirteen years of age, for a number of years following the fickle fortunes of the sea. At the age of eighteen. in 1861, he came to this country, locat- ing in Canada, where he engaged as a shipping clerk for three years. He then became interested in railroading for the Grand Trunk Railroad Company, and in 1873 met with the accident on the road which rendered him a cripple for life. When sufficiently recovered he served for three years as station agent at Danby, and in 1877 pulled up Canadian stakes and located in St. Helens, Ore. As an expert bookkeeper he was fortunately appreciated by the sawmill concern which availed themselves of his services for sev- enteen years, during which time he occupied a prominent place in the general upbuilding of his adopted town.

As a stanch and uncompromising Republican Mr. Cox has promoted the interests of his party as county treasurer, to which office he was elected for three consecutive terms of two years each. He was appointed county judge and served for two years, and he has just completed a four years' term as justice of the peace. August 30, 1868, Mr. Cox was united in marriage with Anna Muckle and of this union there were born five children, of whom Walter R. lives in Colorado ; Alice E. is the wife of D. Davis, of Oregon City; James C. is in Republic. Wash .; Emily M. is the wife of F. L. Clair, of Portland ; and Frederick Charles is deceased. Besides his farm, which consists of one hundred acres, and which has been finely developed and equipped, Mr. Cox owns considerable town property, all of which evi- dences his sagacity in investment, and his ability to improve whatever of opportunity has come his way in the great west.

GEORGE F. MOECK. No name in Rainier carries with it greater influence than does that of George F. Moeck, one of the most substan-

tial and reliable of the German-Americans who have settled in this part of Columbia county. Mr. Moeck was born in that fertile and historical part of the empire of Germany known as Wur- temberg, March 25, 1837, his ancestors having lived in that principality for many years.

Equipped with a farm training and common school education, Mr. Moeck came to America when seventeen years of age, or in 1854, settling in Summit county, Ohio, where he found em- ployment at divers occupations for four years. He then removed to Missouri and worked at coopering for two and a half years, and during the Pike's Peak excitement became interested in mining in that region. Not entirely realizing his mining expectations he went to Montana in 1864, remaining in that state and mining with ups and downs of success and failure until 1871. After removing to Oregon he settled in Rainier, and in order to get a start and identify himself with the community worked in a sawmill for about a year. From that time until 1898 he was in- terested in a general merchandise business, after which he took up a homestead, added to it, and now owns four hundred and fifty acres of land adjoining Rainier. He is engaged in general farming and dairying, has made many fine im- provements on his place, and at present has about forty-five acres under cultivation.

In 1892 Mr. Moeck laid out what is known as Moeck's addition, and which comprises an important adjunct to the town. He has one of the finest and largest rural homes of this part of the county, and his home and farm have all of the advantages of the town and country, a truly unrivalled location. In 1873 Mr. Moeck was united in marriage with Margaret J. Gil- breath, who was born and reared in this county. She is the daughter of James C. and Sarah A. (Tigard) Gilbreath, natives of Washington county, Ark. After coming to Columbia county in 1852 they lived on their claim at Reuben on the Columbia. They have six children : William P., of Aberdeen, Wash. : Margaret J. ; Cyrus H .. in Alaska ; Milton I., of Rainier ; Emily A , wife of J. K. Bourne of Columbia county ; and John C., of Rainier.

Mr. and Mrs. Moeck have six children : Eliza- beth E., of Portland ; Grace A., at home; George F., also at home; Anna K .: Mabel B .; and Marion C. Ever since his first voting days Mr. Moeck has taken an active interest in politics. and has never swerved from his allegiance to the Democratic party. He is active also frater- nally, and has passed all of the chairs of the Masonic order. He is liberal in all of his ten- dencies, and is an enthusiastic advocate of the many opportunities for business and home- making in this part of the great northwest. Mr.

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Moeck is held in high esteem by all who are privileged to associate with him in any capacity whatsoever.

GEN. DANIEL WEBSTER BURKE. An idea of the importance of the military career of Gen. Daniel Webster Burke, a retired officer of the United States army residing in Portland, is best gained from a résumé of his exceptional services found in the records of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. For the encourage- ment of those who seek distinction in the world of strife, it may be said that neither inheritance, early example, or any particular outside induce- ment had aught to do in fashioning the ten- dencies of General Burke. Rather he stepped into a waiting niche among the tents and arma- ment of the country, and under fire developed the capabilities for which he was pre-eminently fitted.

From mercantile and maufacturing ancestors, Mr. Burke was born in New Haven, Conn., April 22, 1841, and was reared and educated in his native town. His father, Richard, was en- gaged in business for many years in New Haven, and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Connecticut Volunteer In- fantry, but at the siege of Fort Hudson was severely wounded and finally discharged. To himself and wife, Margaret ( Howard) Burke, who also died in Connecticut, were born several children, of whom Daniel W. was the oldest.

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Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 96

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 946

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 946